Massachusetts lieutenant governor candidate suspends campaign after crash arrest

Shawn Oliver, the Republican candidate for Massachusetts lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign Sunday after police arrested him following a late-night crash in New Bedford that involved five vehicles.

Police said Oliver’s SUV overturned and struck multiple parked cars on Dartmouth Street around 11:40 p.m. Saturday. Two of the five vehicles involved were heavily damaged, CBS News reported. Oliver was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment and arrested after police investigated at the scene and the hospital.

Oliver, 42, faces charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in New Bedford District Court. The New Bedford Light first reported the arrest, according to The Guardian.

Oliver announced his decision after his running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, called on him to suspend his campaign.

“I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence,” Minogue said in a statement. He said he had spoken with Oliver and was asking him to suspend his campaign immediately. “When elected, I will formally ask for his resignation,” Minogue added. He also said Oliver needed to put his family first and ensure such an incident did not happen again, offering to help him if needed.

Oliver said he would end his campaign. “This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters,” he said. “I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and ask that my family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

Massachusetts Republican Party spokeswoman Amy Carnevale said the party supported his decision. “Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable,” she said. Carnevale said the party would help Oliver get any assistance he needs and recognized that he was facing the consequences of the situation.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, a Democrat, called the allegations “deeply concerning.” He said the public deserved to hear from Oliver about what happened, The Guardian reported.

Oliver represents Ward 3 on the New Bedford City Council and was elected to the council in 2023, according to The Guardian. The outlet also reported that he works as a corrections officer at the Massachusetts Treatment Center. A state Department of Correction spokesperson said Oliver had been placed on restricted work duty there “while all facts and circumstances are reviewed.”

Minogue and Oliver were running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in the Nov. 3 election. A spokesperson for Healey declined to comment, CBS News reported. It was not immediately clear what Oliver’s suspension would mean for the Republican ballot with the election just over two weeks away.